Do you have any trouble with guck on the needle? Sounds like a good idea. Right now I Have stopped pinning my top to the 3rd bar; rather, I bought 10 small (1/2x1x1/8) neodym magnets to hold it to the bar so I can roll it. The batting just hangs free or sometimes I use magnets to hold it to 4th bar and roll it. Works quite well.